Low temperatures can lead to higher energy bills, which can put a strain on anyone's budget.

If you're struggling to pay your power bill because of difficult financial times or because of the government shutdown, there are several programs in both Delaware and Maryland for which you might be eligible:

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP gives customers up to $1,000 in grant support based on household income as well as size and type of fuel. There is no requirement to pay the money back.

Good Neighbor Energy Fund

A partnership between Delmarva Power and the Salvation Army, this program offers help through the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, which is funded by donations.

To learn more about eligibility in Delaware, call the Salvation Army at 302-472-0750. Those in Maryland can call the Salvation Army at 410-749-3077.

Gift of Energy

Use the Gift of Energy program to make a payment toward someone else's energy bill. The gift appears as a credit to a recipient's account on a future bill. On its website, Delmarva Power calls the program "a great gift for college kids living on their own and a thoughtful gift for those on a fixed budget," but it could apply to anyone in your life.

Other programs

Delmarva Power said in a release that it will work with customers who are having a hard time paying their bills. Options available include "Budget Billing," which averages your payments over a 12-month period to help better manage your bill. There are also flexible payment options, such as tailor payment plans. Call Delmarva Power at 1-800-375-7117 for more information.

Those in Delaware can find additional assistance by dialing 2-1-1. Delaware 211 can help refer people to other agencies that can help with power bills as well as other necessities.

If you live in Maryland, there are several programs available. One such program is the Electric Universal Service Program, which helps those who qualify to pay a portion of their current energy bill. There is also the Arrearage Retirement Assistance program, which helps customers with bills that are large and past due by providing as much as $2,000 for eligible people. Low-income families can use the Utility Service Protection Program. Find more information on the Office of Home Energy Programs website from the Maryland Department of Human Services or by calling 1-800-332-6347.

In Virginia, a spokesperson for A&N Electrical Cooperative encouraged anyone struggling to pay their power bill to contact the cooperative to address the problems. Such issues would be handled on a "case-by-case basis."